Commentary & Community

Federal law bans marijuana while state laws are increasingly legalizing its use. Now the attorney general is saying that the federal government should not interfere in states where marijuana is legal.

During testimony before a Senate committee, Attorney General Bill Barr said that he would prefer that the U.S. has a uniform law making marijuana illegal. That does not exist today, with states allowing medicinal and even recreational use of the drug. This sets up a situation where the federal government could enforce its anti-marijuana law in places where marijuana use is legal according to state law. The attorney general acknowledges this leads to federal law being ignored, which he does not like.

Attorney General Barr’s answer came in response to a question about his views on S. 1028, the Strengthening the Tenth Amendment through Entrusting States (STATES) Act. This bill, sponsored by Democrat Elizabeth Warren and Republican Cory Gardner, would stop federal enforcement of marijuana law in states where it has been legalized. The attorney general stopped short of endorsing this legislation, but did indicate that he thought federal law should be changed to recognize state legalization efforts.

Should the federal government stop enforcing its anti-marijuana laws against businesses and individuals in states that have legalized marijuana? Do you support state efforts to end bans on marijuana use?